Dorwinion?
Levi's mind raced as he tried to recall what he knew about this distant land. If his memory served correctly, this wine-producing nation lay in the fertile plains north of Mordor and south of Lake-town, nestled dangerously close to the territories of the Easterlings.
In Middle-earth, kingdoms rising and falling like waves was nothing new. Empires crumbled to dust, only to be rebuilt by new hands decades or centuries later. Yet somehow, Dorwinion had weathered every storm, never tasting the bitter ash of destruction or the chaos of conquest.
As a nation built on foreign trade, Dorwinion played the political game like master musicians tuning their instruments. Whether facing the might of Gondor at its peak or the thundering wheels of the Wainrider invasion, they had never been seen as a threat worth crushing. Their flexible diplomacy and focus on commerce had kept them prosperous while empires burned around them.
They stayed neutral, stayed wealthy, and stayed alive. All while perfecting their wines.
"I've heard of it," Levi nodded, gesturing for the caravan to follow him along the snow-dusted road. "There are rumors that it's a place of lasting peace, producing wines that could make kings weep with joy."
The merchant leader's weathered face brightened like sunrise breaking through storm clouds. "We're deeply honored that word of our homeland has reached such distinguished ears. If you would permit it, I'd be delighted to gift you our finest barrel as a token of respect."
Levi raised an eyebrow, studying the man's eager expression. "I'm quite certain we've never met before. What would inspire such generous hospitality toward a stranger?"
The merchant drew a deep breath, as if preparing for a plunge into icy water, then spoke in a rush:
"If my eyes don't deceive me, you must be the Legend of the Wilderness himself, the Dragon Slayer, the great Lord Levi Stonecraft, correct?"
The words tumbled out so quickly that the merchant had to pause afterward, gasping slightly. Reciting all of Levi's titles in one breath was genuinely exhausting work.
"Haha, didn't expect my reputation to travel so far."
Levi showed no embarrassment at the recognition, merely chuckling with quiet amusement. Fame was a curious thing, spreading like ripples from a stone dropped in still water.
The merchant wiped his brow and explained: "Before arriving here, we made stops in Lake-town. Strange thing, that. The population had shrunk considerably, yet the wealth seemed to have multiplied. Quite the puzzle."
He gestured toward his companions, who nodded in agreement. "When we inquired about this mystery, your name came up repeatedly. They spoke of you as the Legendary Black-Armored Dragon Slayer, the Wall-Builder who changed their fate."
"So you recognized me from the start."
"Please forgive my initial hesitation. I simply needed to be certain before presuming to address someone of your stature."
"Think nothing of it. Since you've traveled so far, come and see what I've built here. I'm genuinely curious about your wares and even more curious about your homeland."
Perhaps someday he'd have reason to visit this peaceful wine country himself.
As they conversed, the group crested a small hill, bringing Roadside Fort's imposing walls into full view. The caravan guards craned their necks upward, eyes wide with wonder at the towering fortifications.
Truly worthy of the "Wall-Builder" title. Some royal capitals boasted walls half this height.
A simple gesture from Levi brought an immediate response from the watchers above. The massive gates groaned open with mechanical precision, revealing the bustling life within.
The caravan rolled through the entrance, drawing curious stares from every direction. Working residents paused in their tasks, tools forgotten as they watched these exotic visitors with undisguised fascination. The merchants returned their gazes with equal interest, marveling at the obvious prosperity and contentment written across every face they saw.
"Are those merchants?" one resident whispered to another, setting down his hammer and taking eager steps toward the newcomers.
Word spread like wildfire through the settlement. But as excitement built, a collective realization began to dawn.
They had no money.
Not a single coin between them.
Though their bellies were full, their homes warm, and their lives comfortable beyond anything they'd previously imagined, their purses remained stubbornly empty. In a territory where everything was provided freely, currency had become an afterthought. Now, faced with traveling merchants offering exotic goods, every resident suddenly felt the weight of their empty pockets.
Meanwhile, the Dorwinion traders surveyed the scene with growing optimism. These people looked prosperous, well-fed, warmly dressed. Surely such obvious wealth meant full purses and eager buyers. This could be the trade stop that made their entire journey worthwhile.
But minutes passed with no one approaching their wagons. No inquiries about prices, no haggling over quality. Just curious stares from a distance.
The merchants began to fidget nervously.
"Are our goods somehow inadequate?" one trader muttered to another.
"No," Levi said, overhearing their concerns. "They just don't have money."
"No money?" The lead merchant's eyebrows shot upward in disbelief.
How could this be? Lake-town, which Levi had merely assisted in passing, overflowed with wealth. Yet his own territory, where he actually lived and ruled, possessed none? The logic escaped him entirely.
"Because it's not needed here. But tell me, do you accept barter? Goods for goods?"
The merchant's confusion gave way to cautious interest. "That could work, though I must warn you, we have standards. We can't accept just anything."
Levi nodded thoughtfully, then raised his voice to address his people: "We can offer high-quality leather worked to perfection, wool soft as clouds, silk thread that gleams like starlight, fresh cuts of various meats from our herds, and crops harvested just yesterday. Wheat, corn, potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, ginger, garlic..." He paused for effect. "Oh, and apples. Large, round, crisp apples without a single blemish, sweet as honey."
These were all products the residents could produce themselves, each household maintaining its own surplus.
The merchant's eyes lit up like candle flames. "If the quality matches your claims, we'd be delighted to trade."
"Did you all hear that!" Levi called out to the gathered crowd, his voice carrying across the settlement.
"It's rare to have a caravan visit us. Put aside your work!"
"Ooh!" The cheer that erupted could probably be heard in the next valley. Residents scattered in all directions, racing to their homes and workshops to gather their finest goods.
Within the hour, the caravan found themselves overwhelmed by enthusiasm.
Wine had always held a special place in people's hearts, but in the depths of winter, it became something approaching sacred. The thought of sitting beside a crackling fire with a cup of fine wine was enough to make anyone's mouth water. This was luxury beyond price.
"By my ancestors," one of the younger merchants breathed, watching residents stream toward them with arms full of goods. "I've never seen quality like this. These foods especially, they should be scarce as dragon's teeth in winter, yet look at this abundance!"
Before the Dorwinion traders fully understood what was happening, two entire wagons of their precious wine had been traded away. In return, their carts groaned under the weight of materials and produce so fine it made their mouths water just looking at it.
They had definitely profited. These goods would fetch prices in other towns that far exceeded the value of their traded wine. The only downside was their temporary lack of coin, but that would be remedied soon enough.
The lead merchant found himself resting on a stone bench, somewhat dazed by the whirlwind of activity, when Levi approached for another chat.
"Looks like the trading frenzy is winding down."
"Indeed, my lord. I must say, your people show remarkable enthusiasm, and they live with obvious prosperity. They simply lack monetary currency."
"Exactly. No money at all. But I do."
Levi's hand came to rest on the merchant's shoulder with friendly weight. "Leave everything you have left. I'll purchase your entire remaining stock."
The merchant's jaw dropped so far it nearly hit his chest. "Everything?"
In the end, not a single barrel of wine remained in their possession.
The truth was, with Levi's current accumulated wealth, he could have bought out not just this caravan, but probably half of Dorwinion's entire wine production. Gold was simply numbers to him now.
"Please, come again whenever you can."
The merchants departed with purses so heavy they jingled with each step, their wagons now laden with premium goods that would make them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. As they rolled away toward the western roads, they carried with them products that would soon appear in markets throughout Bree, the Shire, Lindon, and even the Blue Mountains.
But those distant folk would never taste the rare wines of Dorwinion. In exchange, they might regularly sample the miraculous products of Roadside Fort.
As the festive atmosphere gradually settled, Levi made his way through the still-celebrating residents and returned to the solitude of his castle. He opened the special barrel the merchant leader had gifted him, supposedly the finest vintage in their collection, and took a careful sip.
The wine hit his tongue like liquid fire and silk combined. Strong enough to make his eyes water, yet complex beyond anything he'd experienced. Sweet notes danced with sharp acidity, while undertones of oak and ripe fruit lingered long after he swallowed.
Though Levi possessed no expertise in wine appreciation, his personal reaction told him everything he needed to know. This wine brought genuine joy, and anything that could accomplish that was worth treasuring.
"Not bad at all."
Despite the wine's obvious quality and pleasant effects, Levi set down his cup after that single taste. Instead, he turned his attention to the crafting interface that had appeared in his mind.
The visiting merchants had brought more than just wine and trade goods. Their presence had unlocked new possibilities, expanding his repertoire in ways both practical and unexpected.
Their arrival had granted him the ability to craft something new: barrels.